Problems of etnography writing: critics of the traditional and alternative conventions

The article outlines problems of traditional ethnography (functionalist and structuralist texts) and alternative writing (ethnography of 1960’s to present). Traditional texts apply certain writing conventions aimed to fulfill the scientific paradigm – particular narrative structure that claims to represent totality of social or cultural life, scientific observer image, “people” image, native point of view, rapport, and objective and generalizable style. However, despite scientific claims, traditional ethnographies are subjective, contextual and ideological. They fail to deal with history, change, political economy, and situational issues. Alternative paradigms question conventions of traditional ethnography. They advocate new writing strategies that are sensitive to anthropologist – informant relations, social and contextual situatedness of the researcher, relevance of political economy and history, as well as ethical and political issues. As a result, the new style includes subjectivity, reflexivity, dialogue, different perspectives, openess, and conflict. It engages into experimenting with different writing strategies, inquires into new objects and applies different methods.[...]Vytauto Didžiojo universiteta